Edward k dickerson



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N. nmKBRsomJr. APPARATUS FOR TURNING ON AND OFF AND LIGHTING GAS. No.468,131

Patentedf'eb'. 2-, 1892,

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDXVARD N. DICKERSON, JR, OF NElV YORK, N. Y.

APPARATUS FOR TURNING ON AND OFF AND LIGHTING GAS.

SPECIFIGAILION forming part of Letters Patent No. 468,131, datedFebruary 2, 1892.

Application filed October 18, 1888. Serial No. 288,452. (No model.) i

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD N. DICKER- sON, Jr.,of the city, county, andState of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement inApparatus for Turning On and OE and Lighting Gas, of which the followingis a full, true, and exact description, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings.

This invention relates to an improvement in apparatus for lighting andextinguishing gas by means of the pressure of gas supplied to theburner. By means of this apparatus a pressure of any degree can becarried in the supply-pipes without affecting the burner, provided suchpressure be increased or diminished gradually; but by a sudden variationin pressure the lights will be lighted or extinguished, as the case maybe. In the apparatus, as shown, the lighting is done from the smallsupplemental jet; but other sources of lightingas, for instance,electricitycould be employed.

My invention will be readily understood from the accompanying drawings,in which- Figure 1 represents my apparatus generally in section; Fig. 2,a larger view of part of Fig. 1; Fig. 3, a detail, in section, of thevalve-locking spring; and Fig. 4: shows an addition in which acheck-valve is employed to prevent the return of the gas from the upperchamber.

My apparatus consists, generally, of a diaphragm aftected by thepressure of gas. For this diaphragm any well-known equivalent could besubstituted; but I prefer the diaphragm for ordinary purposes. Thisdiaphragm may be made of india-rubber or thin elastic metal. I prefer,however, to have thin corrugated metal. The diaphragm C is shown as heldin the diaphragm-casingAB, the part B beingsupported upon the gas-pipeE. The diaphragm supports the tube F, the lower end of which serves as avalve passing through an orifice in the pipe D, which is horizontallyscrewed into the casing B. Obviously this tube could be arranged in manydiiterent ways and accomplish the same result. This tube connects withthe tube M, supplying the supplementalburner in the casingN, as shown.WVhenever the diaphragm is raised, the tube F is raised, uncovering theinner aperture in the tubeD and allowing the gas to flow freelytherethrough. A constant supply of gas is maintained in the tube Mthrough the 0pening on therein, closed by the regulating screwplug P, sothat a very small jet of light is constantlyburning within the casing N.\Vhen, however, the diaphragm is raised, an increased pressure of gasflowing through the tube D causes the flame of M to flash up, therebylighting the burner. The passage of gas through the tube F is regulatedby the screw II, which has an angular slot out in one side of it. Byturning this screw H the amount of gas passing through the tube F can beexactly determined. This opening should be so adjusted as to supply onlythe requisite amount of gas to the burner. The tube F may be providedwith a check-valve S, as shown in Fig. 4:, though in most cases this isnot requisite. Upon the upper part of the tube F is screwed theyoke-frame G, which surrounds the valve-stem J. This valve-stem J hastwo collars T T upon it, with which the upper part of the yoke-frame Gengages for the purpose of opening and closing the Valve K, the collarsT T being arranged on the stem a short distance apart and forming asliding joint with the yoke to allow 10st motion of the yoke-frame whenmoved under pressure of the diaphragm, so that the diaphragm can moveupward or downward within certain limits without affecting the valve;but when it moves in either direction the extent of the lost motion thevalve will be operated. The valve-stem J has likewise two annular slotsV V, with which the spring W, suitably supported in abracket in theexterior pipe L, engages. The valve K is capable of two posi tions, inone of which the gas is shut off, as shown in Fig. 2, and in the otherof which the gas is permitted to flow to the burner, as shown in Fig. 1,and the spring NV holds the valve in either position in which it may beleft until it is changed by the action of the diaphragm.

The operation can now be readily understood. Under normal conditionswhen the gas is burning the apparatus will be in the position shown inFig. 1.. It now a sudden decrease in the pressure occurs, the gas in thechamber above-the diaphragm will cause the diaphragm to move downwardsuddenly, thereby closing the valve K, which will remain closed, beinglocked by the spring WV. lf now it is desired-to light the gas, thesmall supplemental jet being lighted, a sudden i11- crease in thegas-pressu re will cause the diaphragm C to rise, thereby opening thevalve K and simultaneously opening the tube D, allowing an increasedpressure of gas to flow through the tube M and causing the jet in thecasing N to flash up and light the gas. The sudden variation in thepressure of the gas in either direction will soon, however, equalizeitself upon both sides of the diaphragm, which will then assume theintermediate position again; leaving the gas either turned on or off, asthe case may have been. Thus in order to accomplish the results oflighting or extinguishing the gas but a temporary variation in pressureis requisite, while the pressure can otherwise be maintained at anydesired pointwithout affecting theburner.

Itis obvious that many modifications of this structure would suggestthemselves to a mechanic. For instance, the opening between the upperand lower chambers of the diaphragm need not be in the diaphragm itselfbut may be external theretoas, for instance, the pipe M may be caused tocommunicate with the upper chamber as well as with the lower chamber;but I prefer the arrangement shown.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination, in an apparatus for lighting and extinguishing gas,of a burner, a valve controlling the supply of said burner, a diaphragmcontrolling said valve, a connection between the valve and the diaphragmfor moving the valve positively in either direction', and a slidingjoint in said connection to permit of lost motion between the diaphragmand the valve, substantially as described.

2. The combination of the diaphragm C, valve K, connection havingsliding joint therein between the diaphragm and valve for operatin g thevalve, spring for retaining the valve in open or closed position, andthe adjustable opening through the diaphragm,substantially as described.

3. The combination of the diaphragm O, valve K, having a stem providedwith collars T T, and yoke-frame G, connected to the diaphragm andoperating upon collars T T, permitting lost motion between said collars,substantially as described.

4:. The combination of the diaphragm O, pipe F, having regulating-screwH,yoke-frame G, valve K, the casings above and below the diaphragm, andthe burner mounted upon the upper casing, substantially as described.

5. The combination,with the diaphragm and upper and lower chambers, ofthe supply-pipe entering the lower chamber, the burner communicatingwith the upper chamber, a valve controlling the supply to said burnerand connected to the diaphragm, the supplemental burner, an independentsupply-pipe therefor I communicating with the lower chamber, the passagebetween the chambers, and a second valve connected with the diaphragmfor controlling the flow'of gas through said supplypipe leading to thesupplemental burner, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

E. N. DIOKERSON, JR.

Witnesses;

ANTHONY GREF, WM. A. Pontoon.

